"I like the flexibility of Penn Foster. You go at your own pace and there are no deadlines. I study while I'm watching horse shows; I study while I’m at the ball field; I take my books everywhere I go!"

"Penn Foster made my goal easily attainable while working a full-time job. Thanks to the wonderful staff at Penn Foster, I will further my education here, because I will never become too old to learn."

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"I am proud to have graduated from Penn Foster Career School and I would do it all over again if I had to. All of the instructors and the Student Service Reps are polite, caring, respectful, and knowledgeable."

Scranton (April 24, 2014) — Penn Foster, a leader in career-focused online and blended education designed to address the skills gap in America, is proud to announce that the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) has recognized two of Penn Foster’s superstars. Connie Dempsey, Penn Foster’s Chief Certification and Licensing Officer, has been awarded DETC’s Distinguished Service Award, while Penn Foster graduate Tiffany Brown has been named one of 2014’s Outstanding Graduates and Famous Alumni. The DETC is a private, non-profit organization that operates as a national accreditor of institutions that primarily offer distance education.

The Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service award is given to individuals working at a DETC-accredited institution for their special outstanding service that has enhanced the image of distance education or significantly furthered the work of the DETC. Since 1961, 85 individuals have received this award.

“I’m truly honored to have been selected by the DETC for its Distinguished Service Award,” said Dempsey. “My work with the DETC has never been for the awards or prestige, but to create standardization and continued positive growth in the online education industry.”

Dempsey has been a standard bearer for the DETC for over two decades. She has served in an educational leadership role not just with Penn Foster, but also through her tireless efforts to serve the DETC. Dempsey joined Penn Foster in 1988 after serving as a teacher and in various positions in education, business, and industry. She is responsible for academic policies, oversight of faculty, instructional activities, regulatory compliance, and strategic direction.

Outstanding Graduates and Famous Alumni Award
For the 31st consecutive year, DETC has honored the fine work of its accredited institutions and showcase the significant accomplishments of graduates and alumni. Thirty-three exceptional graduates were selected by the distance education institutions they attended. Selection criteria included the graduates’ academic records and the level and quality of their contributions to society and to their chosen professions.

Brown, a 2013 graduate of Penn Foster’s Dental Assistant Program, was celebrated by the DETC for her participation in the New Mexico Mission of Mercy, a free, two day dental clinic, created for individuals who cannot afford dental care. In two days, Brown, a dental assistant in her hometown of Alamogordo, N.M, joined more than 1,300 volunteers to help create 952 new smiles, which would have cost $586,653.

“Being recognized for my work post-graduation from Penn Foster really shows all students out there that following your dreams will take you places you never expected,” said Brown. “Participating in the New Mexico Mission of Mercy was the most fulfilling experience I’ve ever had in my entire life and without the help and knowledge I obtained from Penn Foster, I would never have been able to be a part of such a wonderful event.”

About Penn Foster

Founded in 1890, Penn Foster has been a leader in career-focused distance and blended learning for more than 100 years. Since its inception, more than 13 million people have enrolled in its high school, career school and college to learn advanced skills, further their education and better position them for life success. Today, Penn Foster graduates 25,000 students yearly and enrolls more than 100,000 new students each year in programs designed to address the skills gap in middle skilled careers. Penn Foster's high-quality, affordable distance education allows students the flexibility to complete programs around their schedules with 24/7 access to a supportive online community of students and faculty. For more information, visit www. pennfoster.edu.

About DETC
The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) Accrediting Commission is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1926 that operates as a national accreditor of distance education institutions. DETC’s goal is to ensure a high standard of educational quality in the distance education institutions it accredits and a quality education for the more than two million students who annually study at its accredited institutions.